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Custer and the Little Bighorn: A Tale of Hubris, Heroism, and Tragedy

Jacob Foster

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Published in Son Of The Morning Star: Custer And The Little Bighorn

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The Battle of Little Bighorn was a watershed moment in American history. Fought on June 25, 1876, the battle pitted the United States Army against a coalition of Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Native Americans, who annihilated the entire 7th Cavalry Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

Son of the Morning Star: Custer and The Little Bighorn

by Evan S. Connell

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The battle was the culmination of a series of events that began in 1874, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills were part of the Great Sioux Reservation, which had been established by the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. However, the discovery of gold led to an influx of white settlers into the area, and the United States government began to pressure the Sioux to sell the Black Hills.

The Sioux refused to sell the Black Hills, and in 1876, the United States government sent the 7th Cavalry Regiment to force them to comply. Custer was ordered to lead the regiment into the Black Hills and to find and defeat the Sioux.

On June 25, 1876, Custer and the 7th Cavalry Regiment encountered a large encampment of Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors on the Little Bighorn River. Custer divided his regiment into three battalions and ordered them to attack the encampment from three different directions.

However, the Native American warriors were well-prepared for Custer's attack. They had been scouting the area and knew the terrain well. They also had a large number of warriors, and they were armed with modern weapons.

The Native American warriors quickly surrounded Custer's battalions and began to pick them off one by one. Custer and his men fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. By the end of the day, all 268 men of the 7th Cavalry Regiment were dead, including Custer himself.

The Battle of Little Bighorn was a stunning defeat for the United States Army. It was the worst defeat that the Army had ever suffered against Native Americans. The battle also had a profound impact on Native American history. It showed that the Native Americans were not willing to give up their lands without a fight, and it helped to inspire a new wave of resistance to white expansion.

The legacy of Custer and the Battle of Little Bighorn is complex and controversial. Custer has been both praised and vilified for his actions. Some historians have argued that he was a reckless and arrogant commander who led his men to their deaths. Others have argued that he was a brave and courageous soldier who was simply overwhelmed by a superior force.

Regardless of one's opinion of Custer, there is no doubt that the Battle of Little Bighorn was a turning point in American history. It marked the end of the Indian Wars, and it helped to shape the relationship between the United States and Native Americans for generations to come.

The Events Leading Up to the Battle

The Battle of Little Bighorn was the culmination of a series of events that began in 1874, when gold was discovered in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The Black Hills were part of the Great Sioux Reservation, which had been established by the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868. However, the discovery of gold led to an influx of white settlers into the area, and the United States government began to pressure the Sioux to sell the Black Hills.

Custer was a ambitious and aggressive commander. He had a reputation for being reckless and arrogant, and he was eager to make a name for himself. He believed that the Sioux were a weak and cowardly enemy, and he underestimated their strength and determination.

The Sioux, on the other hand, were well aware of Custer's reputation. They knew that he was a dangerous enemy, and they were determined to defeat him.

The Battle

The Aftermath

The Battle of Little Bighorn was a watershed moment in American history. It marked the end of the Indian Wars, and it helped to shape the relationship between the United States and Native Americans for generations to come.

In the aftermath of the battle, the United States government was forced to re-evaluate its policies towards Native Americans. The government began to set aside reservations for Native Americans, and it agreed to provide them with food, clothing, and other supplies.

However

Son of the Morning Star: Custer and The Little Bighorn

by Evan S. Connell

4.6 out of 5